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Seeing that this record was recorded in 1930, you might think this is an electric recording. But it's not. Though Columbia was one of the first major labels to adopt electric recording, it recorded its chain-store labels' (Harmony, Diva, Velvet Tone) matrices exclusively acoustically until approximately early 1929. These records sold for 50 cents versus 75 cents for the Columbia discs. Using the acoustic gear also meant Columbia didn't have to pay royalties to Western Electric for use of their equipment in their recording, and could thus pass on these savings to record buyers. (Columbia had invested in upgrading their acoustic recording apparatus in 1923, and no doubt was looking for some ongoing return on their investment!)
Gradually use of the acoustic recording gear began to be phased out, no doubt due in part to recent developments in radio and record reproduction for the home that made the differences in the quality of electric versus acoustic recordings much more apparent than they were on pre-1925 record players.
The B side of this disc is the last-known matrix acoustically recorded by Columbia.
Here's 'Rollin' down the river', vocal by Arthur Fields (label states 'Jim Andrews'); matrix 150475-1, recorded 17 April 1930:
And that fabled last-ever known acoustic matrix, 'There's a wah-wah gal in Agua Caliente', also with vocal by Arthur Fields (label states 'Jim Andrews'); matrix 150528-1, recorded 23 May 1930:
Click on the labels to enjoy!
